an ode to oakland

I don't write about baseball often (maybe just once?) and I wouldn't consider myself the kind of fan that boasts or boos. ("Boo" is a term of endearment, not an insult.) I started following the A's well after their 20 game streak, at a time when most people had given up on the team and were surprised if they'd made it over .500 for the season.

That being said, I've never felt so much heart around one team. Even before this season. I was once at the bottom of the theater of Epidauros in Greece, wearing an A's hat and a fellow fan, on the other side of the world, asked how the team was doing. And the time I was in Wales wearing my Harden jersey when one of the quietest kids in my group came up to me to talk about the team.

I'd always remembered those moments but it wasn't until this season that I'd really felt that Oakland love in a way that makes your heart melt with pride. It wasn't just winning the AL West when, at the beginning of the season, sportswriters everywhere expected them to trail at third or fourth in the division.

It was a team unknown to anyone but Oakland making waves with their 17 consecutive games with home runs, their All-Star rookie pitchers, their August 21st triple play, their absolutely [Reddick]ulous outfield, their out-of-nowhere sweeps, their walk-off pies, their Bernie lean. It was this team that brought the green and gold sea of fans back home to the Coliseum with blood, sweat, and pie.

Never been more proud of the green and gold. Well done, boys. Well done.

aileen and the flower wall

We were walking back from lunch when I saw something bright and pink from the corner of my eye. I didn't know what I wanted to do, I just knew we had to get to it.

There are a few silly photos of me, but I think Aileen does it best.

(outside) marianne's

I'd never really thought of it before, but having a big backyard (or any yard, for that matter) must be pretty sweet.


Marianne took full advantage of the space and had several garden plots, a wood-burning pizza oven, a volleyball court, picnic tables, a bathtub-turned-couch, and a hammock.


Poopsie wasn't hers but he sure enjoyed it, too.

(inside) marianne's

One of my favorite aspects about visiting someone's home is seeing the small details that make it their own. Everything is so personal; everything has a reason for being where it is.


Marianne and her husband have spent the last year renovating and making their home what it is now. In a way, it's the ultimate dream home. Aside from the fresh flowers, handwritten labels, and big windows, it's a space they breathed their own life into.

I don't know what exactly my dream home will be like, but I hope it's something like this.

white elephant sale

Every year the Oakland Museum hosts a "White Elephant" rummage sale from donations given throughout the preceding year. They collect and organize everything in an enormous warehouse and for one weekend, host their sale.

I was fortunate enough to get presale tickets to the warehouse from my friend Melissa so I didn't have to brave the crowds on the one weekend open to the public. The warehouse is overwhelmingly stocked with amazing finds. I walked in, couldn't believe how big the place was, and completely forgot to take any photos.

But here is my loot from the day-- all for about $35.

1. ruffly high-collar shirt

2. cheese knife

3. cheese cutting board with inlaying knife

4. decanter

5. personal library labels

6. vintage florence postcard

7. gelato ice cream scoop

8. set of napkins

9. thermos

10. dan haren bobble head

If you're in the Bay Area this weekend, I highly recommend going!!

PS - Happy Leap Day!

the irresistible pink box

Whenever I see a pink box I know good things are coming.







The box is like wrapping paper holding something precious, made with care. In this case, freshly baked egg custard tarts (still warm!), sponge cake, and pineapple buns from Wonder Food Bakery. I see these as Oakland Chinatown's greatest achievement.

powderface

I had just gotten off BART and was on my way to the Oakland White Elephant Sale when I saw an entire cafe dedicated to beignets. I, of course, had to order some. And I, of course, couldn't sit down to enjoy them because I was running late.

I picked up a beignet and as I began walking, a gust of wind blew powdered sugar all over me.



Surely, I should be their new poster child.

downtown oakland

I know that there are a lot of bad associations with Oakland: it doesn't have a great reputation and it's kind of dirty. It's also where I spent 6 years of my childhood growing up.

After leaving the city when I was 13, I'd only been back a handful of times and even then, it was usually just to go to A's games. When I found out that our Jenny and Johnny concert was in Oakland, I didn't realize the venue was in (relatively) the same neighborhood where I grew up. I didn't visit my childhood apartment, but it was weird walking around with eyes 9 years older.

Chelsey and I stayed pretty close to the venue and mostly only ventured in search of coffee shops. Walking around I noticed that the city had a lot of architectural charm from when it used to be a fairly wealthy area. I'd never really noticed anything like this before, but it was nice appreciating these little gems because more often than not, they're left forgotten.

jenny & johnny (but mostly jenny)

I'm not usually one to go to concerts on Wednesday nights (especially during school), but I'll make the exception for Jenny Lewis. Just about this time two years ago I saw her at the Rio in Santa Cruz for the first time and she blew my mind.

This year she's touring under the act of "Jenny and Johnny" (with Jonathan Rice). I will be honest-- I was a little grumpy. The show was supposed to start at 8. The first act didn't play until 9:15. And Jenny and Johnny didn't play until 11:30. So I didn't get home until 1:30.. and I had a presentation due in twelve hours which I hadn't started yet. But once they got on stage it was just fun to see them perform. So much passion on one little stage. (But really, The New Parish is tiny).

But Thursday came and went, and I survived! Concerts are worth it. Especially when you go early to stand front row and make new friends.

our last dinner all together

Dinner last Thursday kind of redefined "family style" for me. Jenna moved out early so for our last dinner together, we went to Pizzaiolo and had one of the best meals of my life. I don't even think I had this many courses while I was in Italy!

We began with colorful cocktails-- campari, bourbon, chartreuse-- and split a few appetizers between us. Even though we only got a few bites each, I think that this method was best because it allowed all of us to taste each thing without getting too full. (Their little gems salad was my favorite!)

Somehow I completely forgot to take any photos of the pasta we had... but their puttanesca was fantastic (and I don't really like eggplant). Jenna's mom picked out a really nice bottle of red wine and it went perfectly with the pasta and pizza. But really, their pizza is amazing. Delicate yet flavorful.

And just when I thought I couldn't possibly eat another bite... dessert. With three different dessert wines. Prior to this, I'd only tasted port while visiting a vineyard, but it was really nice to try the Riesling, Malvasia, then the Port in contrast to one another. (And alongside the dessert, of course).

I know that our last meal together wasn't home cooked and I didn't have one of my trademark fiascoes, but just sitting together and talking for hours over amazing food was the perfect way to end our year altogether. Anna, Sarah, and I are all still in our apartment until early June, but it won't be the same without Jenna. Wonderful food and even better roommates perfectly sum up our year together.